Gail Martin Gallery Image Enlargement
Contemporary Fiber Art
James Bassler
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M1604 JAMES BASSLER Cumbe 2009 linen, balance plain weave; discontinuous warp, synthetic and natural dye (indigo); 40 ½” X 40 ½” including natural color linen binding around entire perimeter This weaving is quite a tour de force. Each section is woven separately then each of the sections are separately tie-dyed and finally all sections are sewn together. Bassler is using the same weaving and dying techniques as the ancient Peruvians used to create ceremonial tunics and mantles more than 1,000 years ago. However, using this complex and time consuming process he has created his own unique interpretation, totally varying the ancient traditional as to the sizes of the sections and the combinations of color and scale of the tie-dyed areas. What has resulted is a magical display of figure ground imagery with zig and zags appearing and disappearing as your eye joins together different colors sections. Cumbe is a Quechua word for delicate or precious garment. The Quechua people live in the Andes in Peru and Bolivia. |
